NASCAR Gives Bayne Option to Switch

NASCAR passed a new rule prior to the 2011 season that makes drivers pick one series that they can earn points in and that is the series they can compete for a championship in.

Thinking he was only going to be a part-time Spring Cup driver this year, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne picked the Nationwide Series as his series of choice.

But NASCAR did the unthinkable this week and changed it's rules for Bayne. 

They offered their new star, Bayne a chance to change his mind. Though the points he earned from the Daytona 500 still wouldn't count, the victory would in determining his eligibility for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Under a new format this season, the 12-driver Chase will feature the top 10 in points and the two drivers ranked 11th-20th with the most wins. If the rules had been applied last year, a one-win driver would have made the Chase.

Bayne appears to be sticking to his Nationwide Series choice. 

The Wood Brothers would need to run its first full season since 2008 to give Bayne a shot at the top 20 in points before the Chase cutoff in September. The team added a race after his win and hopes to secure funding to continue after the first seven.

"This limited schedule enables us to continue racing, but you need to be at all of them and that's our goal," said co-owner Eddie Wood, who said Monday morning he had received text messages from potential sponsors in the 12 hours since the victory. Wood said deciding on whether Bayne would switch his points preference was "a good problem to have."

Despite his win at Daytona, I think Bayne needs a full year racing Nationwide cars.  He'll get a chance to learn the ropes and gain valuable experience.  He's going to be a great driver no matter what, I'm sure he'll make the decision that is right for him.